Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC)

The offshore patrol cutter (OPC) will replace the fleet of 210-foot and 270-foot medium endurance cutters. Three firm fixed-price contracts for preliminary and contract design were awarded in February 2014 for the OPC.

The Human Systems Integration team is reviewing preliminary plans provided by the three contractors and providing input that will be used to determine which company is awarded the contract and provides guidance to the contractors.  That input includes:

• Conduct a technical review of the potential ship builders' completion of the contract deliverables to support the program's compliance to the Major Systems Acquisition Manual (MSAM) and MIL-STD-882 process,
• Develop and help implement system safety processes and products which will fully support system performance in accomplishment of the assigned missions,
• Provide guidance for contract deliverables consistent with Force Readiness Command and industry standards for onboard training,
• Using 3D modeling to evaluate maintenance envelopes and interferences to identify items that can be changed before steel is cut and design changes increase cost, and
• Use of the US Army HFE lab in Natick MA to facilitate the design of the galley. Natick has configurable spaces and galley equipment to allow users the opportunity to physically interact with the equipment, leading to a more optimal and efficient design.

More information on OPCs can be found on the Acquisition Directorate's (CG-9) website.